by Susan Itell | Oct 29, 2015 | Birthday, Super Easy |
Usually on Thursdays it is the Paper Art Challenge but because there are 5 Thursdays this month….we are off for the week! Did I get your attentions with the title of today's post? Let me clarify it and I think you will see where I am coming from!
I will ask you…
Why do we complicate something that we love to do?
What am I talking about? So many times we get ourselves in such a dither that we just get frustrated, we sometimes get angry and many times we throw our hands up and say – I just can't do this right now….
Does this sound familiar? Trust me…been there ~ done that….a lot!
You have heard me talking about developing a style. It does not happen over night but the best thing I can advise you is to try different styles…see what works …see what doesn't! You'll know. Personally I am a clean and simple gal and I know that once I try to to a really fussy technique, I stress!
I needed a card for a friend and I was fighting the clock and said to myself ( and a bunch of dogs eyes looking at me) – ready ~ set~ just do it! I love the simple yet classic style of this card and I am excited for you to see how easy it is! Now I ask you, can you duplicate this?…..we all know the answer – YES!!!!!
I have the dimensions for you so I hope that you can find some "me time" and make a card with this layout. Put you thinking cap on and change the sentiment, change the DSP…just DO IT!
- Very Vanilla A-2 card – 4 1/4" X 51/2"
- Very Vanilla layer is 4" X 5 1/4"
- The DSP from the Happy Hauntings is 3" X 5 1/4"
- The Very Vanilla that the "Happy Birthday" sentiment is on is is 3 1/2" X 2 1/4" LOVE this stamp set, Watercolor Words
- The Tangelo Twist is a "smidge larger" – 3 5/8" X 2 3/8"
- The Very Vintage Button was threaded with "threads" pulled from the In Color Tangelo Twist In Color Ribbon….great trick when we do not have a thin ribbon that would work!
- Stampin' Dimensionals to the rescue….ONE GREAT CARD!
- Use the "green glue" to the back flap of the envelope….place a piece of DSP that is 3" X 6" – adhere and trim off the excess!
There you go my friends – I hope that you will give it a try and then after you smile and are proud of yourself, you say to yourself – I DID IT!…if you want – please send a picture of it to me….I always love to see you work!
Today's card is a layout that I hope that you "memory bank" it because this is a great example of how a "formula" as I like to call it works…trust me, you could do this layout over and over again and make the changes in your stamps and papers and no one will ever notice….
as the saying goes…..
Try it…you might like it!
I hope that you do and I hope that this has inspired you to keep it clean and simple! Enjoy the day….and until tomorrow!
Tomorrow I am going to share with you some tips and tricks that I find making what we do easier….I have had many ask me about the mailing of bulky cards….how I organize certain things and also some great waterproof bags that I like to have handy with projects in!
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by Susan Itell | Oct 10, 2015 | Christmas, Simple Saturday, Super Easy |
As my wonderful Mom used to tell me, "You just cannot beat the classics" and this is a great example of a classic card that would have been super special 10 years ago, today and in 10 years!
Today this is a "stripped down version" (and I really like it a bunch) but I do hope that you pop back tomorrow and see how I have "stepped it up a bit" – it feels great to be back to our weekend posts of Simple Saturday and Step it up Sunday!
It is hard to get a good picture of this card but I do hope that you can see the simplistic beauty of being so darn simple! You can see the items that I used in todays card and I know what you are thinking….WOWZERS, these framelits are pricey! – Trust me – I get it but I will say that the beauty of these framelits and the attention to detail is over the top!
I totally forgot to put in the famous "scrolling store" the vanilla coaster board – this is a product that I use almost always when using sentiment framelits – I just LOVE it as it give the classic life that is needed!
One question I get asked all the time – is it easy to use? – YES
Does it work well with the Big Shot? – YES
This card just simply does not get any easier than this…..a great Neutral – Very Vanilla….a classic accent color – Night of Navy = a great card!
Did you notice the gold twine? This is the best, very affordable and give an instant WOW! The last picture, the beloved envelope! I used just the Night of Navy to line …simple but it works!
Please pop back tomorrow to see what is up my sleeve!
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by Susan Itell | Oct 7, 2015 | Fall Cards, Super Easy |
Good Morning! WOWZERS….after a ton of rain on the East Coast over the past several days ~ yesterday was a PERFECT Fall Day so I was inspired to make you a super sweet Fall card!
Did you have a chance to look at some of the comments left on the post yesterday….and there is one lucky person that will win not only 15 Swap Cards….but this sweet card and also some of my yummy Soft and Chewy Ginger Cookies! Fall is all about comfort….so please email me FAST with your address so I can get them in the mail to you today!
Drum roll……Drum roll…..love her comments…and I am with you….just LOVE those leaves changing!
NANCY FARRELL
Thanks for all of your comments but now we need to get down to business….this super sweet 4 1/2" square card! You know me, it's hip to be square!
When the Holiday Catalog came out, I instantly loved this stamp set as it is super basic. It is called Cheer All Year and it coordinates with the Season To Season Wreath Project Kit (I have not blogged about this yet, but I do have it to make for my Mother in Law) so naturally I will share it with you.
Why do I like this stamp set? Easy ~ it is super basic and super classic. It is great for cards, packaging/treats…a set that will be timeless for years to come!
The card size is a 4 1/2" card and then the smaller very vanilla is 4 1/4". Many times I pop up the layered piece with dimensionals but today I did not as I wanted the POP of the acorn get the "center stage" (I actually doubled up on the dimensionals)
The other thing that I wanted to showcase to you is the power of a bold DSP to make a statement. I know that many of you are scared of using a DSP but please give it try. (I have a confession, I have an AMAZING card to show you one day that was sent to me and it totally showcases DSP – you will LOVE IT)
The DSP is from the GORGEOUS Farmers Market Collection and I simply cut that to a 4 1/4" square and then using the stampin' trimmer (you do have it…right???) put the points to points in the track to cut it in half and then you will use 1/2 of it on the card, the other 1/2 on the back of the envelope,
The leaves were fussy cut and that was SUPER easy as the lines are so clean and easy, same for the acorn. I used the color of Early Espresso for the NUT and then the TOP is with Soft Suede.I used glue dots for the leaves and then used crushed curry bakers twine to make a simple bow, adhered with a glue dot!
I was determined to use something that I have not used in a while, candy dots! These are little gems that I suggest that you have in all color palettes, "just in case" – they are sooooooo affordable ($6.00) and give a BIG Punch for such a little thing!
Because the dots were not even, type "A" kicked in for me – …I used a sliver of soft suede to distract your eye – it works….try it – no need to stress!
FUN…SIMPLE…DONE – that's my motto and I stick by it! Thanks for popping in…thanks for you comments…thanks for being YOU! Pleas feel free to email me if you have any questions~
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by Susan Itell | Oct 2, 2015 | Fun & Cute!, Just Because..., Super Easy |
Good Friday to all….is it really Friday – can it really be???? I feel like I have lost several days this week but the reality is that I did lose several days but I am going to be Rocky and rebound! (after hearing them play the Rocky theme song when the Pope was in Philadelphia it made me think , I can be Rocky)…I am feeling soooo much better….
Today I am leaving to go to Atlanta for World Card Making Day and being able to see many special people that are near and dear to my heart and to be the BIGGEST sponge and take it all in! As of right now, I have nothing to take to work on but that's ok – I will pull together some things and yep – yikes – I need to make my swap cards!
I wanted to share with you another way to do a super simple and clean card that would hold up to any card you would ever find at a store! I adore this stamp set and I have an idea (you know me…..I think of things at the strangest times but I am going to think of something super fun with this stamp set)
I think the font and the sentiments of this stamp set are just wonderful and I think that you are going to like my idea if I can figure it out! This stamp Set coordinates with a kit, and the kit is super cute…..(I need to blog about that too!)
This is a great example of a "Wham BAM card" This would be a great card to make up and give as a gift, I know that I sure would like and appreciate a dozen of these to use throughout the year!
To me, there are 3 key elements that make this card….
- It is super clean and simple using just 1 stamp set
- The simple scoring on the sides makes is special
- I love coloring in the hearts randomly on the DSP = the icing on the cake!
I know that many of you are skeptical of the Note Card size and I must admit, I do not get it as it is a super size and the paper is fantastic – just like our heavy weight card stock plus it is the best bang for your buck!
I hope that this has inspired you that you do not have to make "time consuming cards" all the time – the end result will be super-de -duper! Trust me, there are times that I really enjoy the "me time" is making a challenging card, but this – right up my alley!
That's it my friends…this weekend will be different on my posts! Tomorrow I will share with you my swap card (yikes – I need to do it…..) and then on Sunday I have a "Show and Tell" for you that will make you smile….some AMAZING works of art that will make you happy!
I was determined to take it easy these past 3 days and get lots of rest so I could go to Atlanta….I am looking so forward to it and I wish each and everyone of you were there with me! (Would we have FUN or what)
Below you will see the products used for this sweet card, please feel free to email me if you have any questions and tonight while I am a "princess" in my own room at the hotel, I plan to read emails, make swap cards and have some "me time"
Until tomorrow!
p.s. – I just could not resist this photo….trust me, we have kennels, dog beds, toys all over the house and here is Milo and Leo. Remember, Leo is James puppy that he rescued and I have NO IDEA what he is other than one sweet boy! His legs are sooooo long and see how he has his back leg around the "new boy"
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by Susan Itell | Sep 29, 2015 | 3-D Projects, Super Easy |
I know that last week I shared with you that I was doing the HAPPY DANCE when Stampin' Up! released the refill kits from the September Paper Pumpkin Kit. There are just no words to convey how cute this is and equally how fun it is to put them together – EVERYTHING IS INCLUDED!
Because I am a Paper Pumpkin Customer I am able to order these and we are allowed to "cash and carry" them, so I am able to offer them to you! You cannot go wrong = you will be able to make 8 of these for just $8.00
If you want a refill kit for you to make these fun items, please email me and put in the Subject Line Paper Pumpkin Refill, and I will send the refill to you and just charge you whatever the postage is.
For those of you that ordered some last week – my order is to be in today…YIPPEE!!!
I did use the sketched tag a bag gift bags as well – I told you….these are great to have on hand and are PERFECT to keep homemade goodies in the treat bag to keep them super fresh!
Look at the stamp sets on your shelf and use think of how you can "add your own flair" to this adorable bag! I think the other thing that I love about this refill kit is that everything is included! The "fringe" piece is "easy as pie" to adhere as there is a strip of tape adhesive already on! Just peel off and stick – so easy!
Here you can see a picture of the goodies….so easy to make – go and make a bunch up! I just put a pretzel of a baking sheet, add a "disk" of chocolate and put it in a 250 degree oven for about 4-5 minutes to just soften the chocolate and then take them out of the oven, push a M & M on top! DONE, FUN & FAST!
Guess what today is TUESDAY DEALS! Click here to see the offerings, what is your favorite this week? It is wonderful that they do this each week, we all like a great deal!
That's it – short and sweet but I think that it is a great product and it is my pleasure to offer this to you…..for just $8.00 – you will be so glad that you emailed me and it is a great way for you to see the "quality" of the Paper Pumpkin Kits….
Have a great day, until tomorrow!
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by Susan Itell | Sep 27, 2015 | Christmas, Step it up Sunday!, Super Easy |
I told you that I had today's card…."in my head" and it worked! I just love that when it happens! I know that many of you might think that yesterdays card was harder but remember, sometimes it is not about being hard….it is about how you can change tings up and make it "feel" different!
For me,,,whipping out the sentiments in the coaster board is super easy – once you get used to it – SUPER EASY! Today I did the opposite – I used the framelit to be flat, nestled in….and it produces a super fun look!
Here you go with then side by side….I think that it is a super card and I would be super proud to send this out to family and friends! SIMPLE….CLEAN – DONE! (just the way I like it)!!!
Hopefully the following 3 pictures will help you see the stages that I did to put the sentiment in and also how I secured it.. As alway, please feel free to email me if you have specific questions. I just love the color scheme and the plaid is always so festive and fun
We need to talk if you do not have this punch – I admit, when I saw it come out I thought that it was a silly punch but trust me, I am eating my words! – I love the ease of it and I love that you can really do any size that you need!
DOTS….DOTS ! I love my DOTS! The best advice I can give you is – JUST GO FOR IT….trust me, I make boo-boos all the time but that does not stop me – Remember,,,,we are NOT Hallmark!
You know me,,,the envelope is my favorite,I used the same color scheme I as yesterday!
I think that it is amazing at how changing the background paper makes a huge difference! I adore Mossy Meadow – I think that it adds a richness and depth.
It is just a personal preference….you simply cannot go wrong with either one!
Here is a run down of the dimensions for today's card! As I said yesterday, this would be a super easy card to mass produce and it is so affordable as the paper stacks….YEP – a blue ribbon winner. You will see all of the goodies I used in the strolling store! (Isn't that great that you can shop from your home and in your jammies!)
Here you go!
- A-2 base in thick whisper white….yep – it is the best, could not… would not be without it!
- The Mossy Meadow is 4" X 5 1/4"
- The Plaid is 3 1/2" X 4 3/4"
- The White Banner Piece id 1 1/2" X 5 1/4" – (remember, you want to add additional langth as it will get snipped shorter once you use the banner punch – the best rule of thumb I use is add 1/4" for each side)
- The Red Banner is 1 5/8" X 5 1/2" (and YES – I did use the envelope paper and it worked like a charm, I was worried that because the paper was so thin that I would not get a "clean" cut but it works great. The sentiment was also using this paper.)
- White gel pen….you just have to have it!
There you go! Simple changes to give a little different feel and flair! I hope that you enjoyed this post.
Pop back tomorrow and you will be hungry for some sweets! Get ready to run to the grocery store, I will share with you a yummy that is a huge tradition in our home!
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